Combinatorial invariants for nets of conics in $$\mathrm {PG}(2,q)$$ PG ( 2 , q )

Designs, Codes and Cryptography - The problem of classifying linear systems of conics in projective planes dates back at least to Jordan, who classified pencils (one-dimensional systems) of conics...     

Three-Body Phase Shift in One-Dimensional 2 + 1 Scattering

For a model of three particles on a line, subject to attractive delta-function interactions, we consider the phase shift. We do this from the point of view of the calculation of the S-matrix in a hyperspherical adiabatic basis (an adiabatic S-matrix), and for energies ranging from the (negative) energy of the two-body bound state to a total energy of zero. We derive analytical expansions and present numerical work, for different approximations, and compare with the exact results that we obtain from the work of McGuire, whose model we have borrowed. We show that the simplest adiabatic approximation gives results that are qualitatively wrong, but that better approximations yield, for most of our range, excellent agreement with the exact result. Understanding the threshold behaviour, however, requires a zero-energy three-body bound state, or resonance, previously unsuspected for this model. The methods developed for the case of the simplest adiabatic approximation also yield threshold and low-energy results applicable to the two-body problem in two dimensions. Received December 23, 1996; revised May 13, 1997; accepted for publication June 19, 1997     

Tellurate and periodate solutions as media for paper electrophoresis of carbohydrates

Electrophoretic separations of sugars and other polyhydroxy compounds may be performed in 0.2M telluric acid media adjusted to pH 10 with sodium hydroxide, and in 0.07M sodium metaperiodate at pH 11. Oxidation by periodate appears to be only slight under these conditions. Migration rates of 21 compounds are reported relative to the movement of d-ribose. In both electrolytes the compounds form anionic complexes.     

Common origin, common fate: regular porphyrin and N-confused porphyrin yield an identical tetrapyrrolic degradation product

The formation of an identical linear tetrapyrrole observed in the course of photooxidation of meso-tetraarylporphyrin and its N-confused isomer can be explained as a result of 1,2- and 1,3-dioxygen addition, respectively, as substantiated by DFT calculations.     

Development of the HS-SPME-GC-MS/MS method for analysis of chemical warfare agent and their degradation products in environmental samples

After World War II approximately 50,000 tons of chemical weapons were dumped in the Baltic Sea by the Soviet Union under the provisions of the Potsdam Conference on Disarmament. These dumped chemical warfare agents still possess a major threat to the marine environment and to human life. Therefore, continue monitoring of these munitions is essential. In this work, we present the application of new solid phase microextraction fibers in analysis of chemical warfare agents and their degradation products. It can be concluded that the best fiber for analysis of sulfur mustard and its degradation products is butyl acrylate (BA), whereas for analysis of organoarsenic compounds and chloroacetophenone, the best fiber is a co-polymer of methyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate (MA/MMA). In order to achieve the lowest LOD and LOQ the samples should be divided into two subsamples. One of them should be analyzed using a BA fiber, and the second one using a MA/MMA fiber. When the fast analysis is required, the microextraction should be performed by use of a butyl acrylate fiber because the extraction efficiency of organoarsenic compounds for this fiber is acceptable. Next, we have elaborated of the HS-SPME-GC-MS/MS method for analysis of CWA degradation products in environmental samples using laboratory obtained fibers The analytical method for analysis of organosulfur and organoarsenic compounds was optimized and validated. The LOD's for all target chemicals were between 0.03 and 0.65 ppb. Then, the analytical method developed by us, was used for the analysis of sediment and pore water samples from the Baltic Sea. During these studies, 80 samples were analyzed. It was found that 25 sediments and 5 pore water samples contained CWA degradation products such as 1,4-dithiane, 1,4-oxathiane or triphenylarsine, the latter being a component of arsine oil. The obtained data is evidence that the CWAs present in the Baltic Sea have leaked into the general marine environment.     

Chemical transformations of iron compounds during the process of hard coal pyrolysis

The coal with a very high sulphure content was used as a charge of a reactor for hydropyrolysis processes in the 820–1120 K range and for pyrolysis processes in an argon atmosphere. The results of Mössbauer measurements for the semi-cokes, obtained during hydropyrolysis, showed that the pyrite was transformed to pyrrhotites in the 820–870 K range when it was transformed to metallic iron in the 1000–1120 K range. The pyrolysis in an argon atmosphere leads to decomposition of pyrite to pyrrhotites but the metallic iron was not evidenced in these cokes.     

Magnetic properties of RFe6Al6 alloys with R=Y,Dy

Intermetallics crystallizing in ThMn₁₂ type structure were investigated. Magnetostatic measurements showed that the magnetic ordering temperature and the magnetic moment of YFe₆Al₆ samples depend strongly on thermal and mechanical treatment. These measurements for a powdered sample of YFe₆Al₆ showed that the alloy was a ferromagnet with a Curie temperatureT _C =265 K and a magnetic moment μ=5.1 μ_B/f.u. at 77.4 K. From X-ray, magnetostatic and Mössbauer effect measurements it appears that the Fe atoms prefer the 8j and 8f crystallographic positions. Magnetostatic measurements for a powdered sample of DyFe₆Al₆ showed that this alloy was a ferrimagnet with the ordering temperatureT ₀=311 K and magnetic moment μ=1.1 μ_B/f.u. at 77.4 K.     

Chemical transformation of iron compounds during the process of coal pyrolysis in steam

When the content of sulphur in hard coal is higher than 1.5% weight, such coal cannot be used as fuel in thermal-electric power stations due to environmental protection. Such coal can be used as a raw product in various chemical processes in which many valuable substances are obtained. This study is a small part of a major project looking for improved ways of utilizing sulphur-rich coals. Mössbauer measurements were carried out for semi-cokes obtained from sulphur-rich coal in the pyrolysis process in a steam atmosphere in the temperature range of 300–800 °C. Results of these measurements showed that during the pyrolysis process, pyrite transformed completely into iron oxides (magnetite and hematite), whereas illite transformed only partly even at the highest temperatures. Unfortunately, it was not possible to identify some products of the illite transformation.     

Preparation and application of sol–gel acrylate and methacrylate solid-phase microextraction fibres for gas chromatographic analysis of organoarsenic compounds

Novel solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibres containing methyl, ethyl, butyl acrylate and methacrylate were first prepared by a sol–gel technique and investigated for determination of selected organoarsenic compounds (lewisite, methyldichloroarsine, phenyldichloroarsine, diphenylchloroarsine and triphenylarsine) from water samples. The influence of sorption and desorption temperature and time for extraction efficiency were examined. The best new fibre coatings (methyl acrylate (MA), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and combination of methyl acrylate and methacrylate (MA/MMA)) for analysis of organoarsenic compounds were selected and compared with commercial fibres. The distribution coefficients K_fs were determined for the best novel fibres and for absorption commercial fibres. The highest K_fs value were obtained for MA/MMA and MMA fibres and were respectively 9458 and 6561 for lewisite and 6458 and 5884 for triphenylarsine. The limit of detection and quantification were determined for the three laboratory obtained fibres (MA, MMA and MA/MMA). LODs for tested fibres, at a signal-to-noise of 3, were 0.03–0.3 ng mL⁻¹. LOQs for selected coatings, at signal-to-noise of 10, were 0.1–0.8 ng mL⁻¹. The relative standard deviations (RSD) for all measurements were 4.3–6.5% (n = 9) and relative errors were 2.5–5%. The laboratory obtained fibres were used for environmental analysis of pore water samples from the Baltic Sea.